Closure device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a closure device ( 1 ) for a container ( 2 ) in which a flowable material ( 3 ) is stored, comprising a base element ( 4 ), which can be fastened on a container opening ( 5 ) of the container ( 2 ), a spout ( 11 ) with a dispensing opening ( 7 ), whereby the spout ( 11 ) is positioned inboard of the base element ( 4 ), and a lid ( 8 ) connected to the base element ( 4 ) by a hinge ( 12 ), whereby the lid ( 8 ) can be moved back and forth between a closed position ( 9 ) in which the lid ( 8 ) closes the dispensing opening ( 7 ) so that the spout ( 11 ) is not accessible and an open position ( 10 ) in which the spout ( 11 ) is accessible, tamper evidence indication means ( 13 ) for visually indicating if the lid ( 8 ) of the closure device ( 1 ) has once been moved out of its closed position ( 9 ).

The present invention relates to a closure device for a container inwhich a flowable material is stored, comprising a base element, whichcan be fastened on a container opening of the container, a pout with adispensing opening whereby the spout is positioned inboard of the baseelement, and a lid connected to the base element by a hinge, whereby thelid can be moved back and forth between a closed position in which thelid closes the dispensing opening so that the flowable material isretained in the container and an open position in which the flowablematerial can be released from the container, tamper evidence indicationmeans for visually indicating if the lid of the closure device has oncebeen moved out of its closed position.

Closure devices for containers are well known in the state of the art.To increase the consumer confidence in an according closures andcontainers, it has been a continuous demand in tamper evidenceindications means, showing the consumer whether or not a closure devicehas already once been opened.

The technical problem which the invention seeks to solve is hence toprovide a closure device with improved tamper evidence indication means,especially with tamper evidence indication means that are economicallyto manufacture and that can provide a safe and hygienic functionality.

This problem is being solved by a closure device for a container inwhich a flowable material is stored, comprising a base element, whichcan be fastened on a container opening of the container, a pout with adispensing opening whereby the spout is positioned inboard of the baseelement, and a lid connected to the base element by a hinge, whereby thelid can be moved back and forth between a closed position in which thelid closes the dispensing opening so that the flowable material isretained in the container and an open position in which the flowablematerial can be released from the container, tamper evidence indicationmeans for visually indicating if the lid of the closure device has oncebeen moved out of its closed position, the tamper evidence indicationmeans comprise a first indication ring and at least a second indicationring, whereby the first indication ring and the second indication ringare connected by at least one frangible bridge which is configured to bedisrupted when the lid is moved from its closed position, causing anaxial movement of the first indication ring relative to the secondindication ring, whereby the first indication ring and the secondindication ring are coaxially positioned to each other and the firstindication ring and the second indication ring having an axiallyoverlapping section before and after the lid of the closure device hasonce been moved out of its closed position.

This will provide a labyrinth type of sealing arrangement which supportsto protect the spout from dust or insect ingress. The drinking spout ishence protected by the temper evidence indication rings both prior andafter first opening. As the direction for potential dust intake into theclosure device is mainly in radial direction, the overlapping temperevidence indication rings conceal the spout by being positioned oneabove the other in axial direction. Another beneficial effect of theoverlapping section of the first and the second indication ring is thatthe disrupted connection between the second indication ring and thefrangible bridge/s remain covered by the first indication ring, hencesupporting an aesthetically appealing appearance of the secondindication ring.

A container according to this invention is any receptacle or enclosurefor holding a product used in storage, packaging, and shipping. Flowablematerials kept inside of a container are protected by being inside ofits structure. A container according to this invention can be especiallyselected from the group of bottles, particularly plastic bottles, cansor bags. The container can be pressurised or non-pressurised in itsinitially closed state.

A flowable material according to this invention may be selected from thegroup of fluids, gels, pastes, gases, granular solids in particulateform or mixtures thereof. A flowable material according to thisinvention can be especially selected from the group of carbonated andnon-carbonated drinks, particularly sport drinks, including water,mineral water, isotonic sport drinks.

A lid, also referred to as cover, according to this invention isconsidered as being part of the closure device that serves as closureand/or seal for the dispensing opening, especially one that completelycloses the dispensing opening. Preferably, the lid is made of atransparent plastic material. The lid may also be configured in a waythat the shell surface of the lid is made partly or entirely of atransparent plastic material to allow the visibility of the temperevidence means from outside of the closure device. It is especiallypreferred, that the lid has a transparency of 40-100%, highly preferred50-95%, most preferred 60-90%. The transparency may be determined withreference to the standards ASTM D 1003, ISO 13468, 14782.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the tamper evidenceso indication means comprise a first indication ring and at least asecond indication ring which is co-axially arranged in the firstindication ring, whereby the first indication ring and the secondindication ring are connected by at least one radially orientedfrangible bridge which is configured to be disrupted when the lid ismoved from its closed position, causing an axial movement of the firstindication ring relative to the second indication ring, whereby thefirst indication ring has a first optical property and the secondindication ring has a second optical property being different form thefirst optical property.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it may beprovided that an optical property is chosen from a group comprisinglight absorption properties, light reflection properties, transparency,opacity, gloss, a surface structure, especially one or more openings,one or more elevations, one or more recesses and any combination ofthese properties.

The light absorption of a surface or solid body can be determined by thereflected colour spectrum of this surface or solid body using aspectrophotometer (also called spectroreflectometer or reflectometer).Further reference is made to the according norms DIN 5033, ASTM E 1347,ASTM E 805.

The gloss of a surface or solid body may be determined according to thestandards DIN 67530, ASTM E 430, DIN EN ISO 2813. The gloss may beespecially determined with a glossmeter. It is preferred to conduct thegloss measurement at an measurement angle of 60°. A high gloss accordingto this invention is considered to have Gloss Units (GU)>50 at ameasurement angle of 60°. A low gloss according to this invention isconsidered to have Gloss Units (GU)<30 at a measurement angle of 60°.

First indication ring Second indication ring Spout 1 White Low glossOpaque Colour High gloss Opaque 2 White Opaque Colour Transparency HighGloss White High Gloss 3 White Opaque White Openings Opaque Colour 4White Elevations/ Opaque White Opaque recesses 5 White OpaqueTransparency Colour

The table specifies non-limiting examples for possible advantageouscombinations of optical properties of the first indication ring and thesecond indication ring as well as beneficial additional combinations ofoptical properties of the spout.

According to the first especially preferred combination of opticalproperties, the first indication ring is made of an opaque materialwhich has a colour perceived as white with a low gloss surface, whereasthe second indication ring is made of an opaque material which has acolour perceived as being different from white, preferably perceived asred, orange, blue or violet, with a high gloss surface. With the secondindication ring having a higher optical contrast by different colour andgloss properties, the optical distinguishability of the temper evidencemeans being in their original closed position and its once-open positionis improved.

According to the second particularly preferred combination of opticalproperties, the first indication ring is made of an opaque materialwhich has a colour perceived as white, whereas the second indicationring is made of a transparent material which has a colour perceived asbeing different from white, preferably perceived as red, orange, blue orviolet, with a preferably high gloss surface. The spout preferably has acolour perceived as being white with a preferably high gloss surface.Here, a high optical contrast is achieved by the different colour andthe optical depth of the transparent second indication ring which may beadditionally contrasted by the spout being perceived as white with ahigh gloss surface.

According to the third very preferred combination of optical properties,the first indication ring is made of an opaque material which has acolour perceived as white, whereas the second indication ring is made ofan opaque material which has a colour perceived as being white, wherebythe second indication ring comprises opening, for example in the shapeof letters. The spout preferably has a colour perceived as beingdifferent from white, preferably perceived as red, orange, blue orviolet. Here, a high optical contrast is achieved by the differentcolour between the second indication, its openings and the colour of thespout. The advantage of this embodiment is, that the temper evidencemeans may have the same colour and may be manufactured in a singleinjection moulding process without the necessity to colour one of theindication rings after the moulding.

According to the fourth highly preferred combination of opticalproperties, the first indication ring is made of an opaque materialwhich has a colour perceived as white with elevations and/or recesses inits surface, for example in the shape of letters, whereas the secondindication ring is made of an opaque material which has a colourperceived as being white. Again, the advantage of this embodiment is,that the temper evidence means may have the same colour and may bemanufactured in a single injection moulding process without thenecessity to colour one of the indication rings after the moulding.

According to a fifth extremely preferred combination of opticalproperties, the first indication ring is made of an opaque materialwhich has a colour perceived as white, whereas the second indicationring is made of a transparent material which has a colour perceived asbeing different from white, preferably perceived as red, orange, blue orviolet. The spout preferably has a colour perceived as being differentfrom white with a preferably high gloss surface. Here, a high opticalcontrast is achieved by the different colour and the optical depth ofthe transparent second indication ring which may be additionallycontrasted by the spout being perceived as different from white with ahigh gloss surface.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it mayalso be provided that the first optical property is light absorption inthe range of 380-750 nm and the second optical property is lightabsorption in the range of 380-750 nm, whereby the light absorptionranges of the first optical property and the second optical property aredifferent from each other. By this configuration it can be achieved thatan visually improved and—for the consumer—easily distinguishable opticalindication of the tamper evidence of the closure device is provided.

Furthermore, according to an equally advantageous embodiment of theinvention, it may be provided that the first optical property is a lightabsorption rate below 5% over the range of 380-750 nm and the secondoptical property is a light absorption rate above 50% in the range of380-750 nm. The advantageous effect of this embodiment is based on thefact that the optical contrast of between the first indication ring andthe second indication ring is increased to further improve the visualdistinguishability between the originally closed and the once-openedstate of the closure device.

According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention,it may be provided that the first optical property is a light absorptionrate below 5% over the range of 380-750 nm and the second opticalproperty is a light absorption rate above 50% in the range of 380-750 nmand the spout has a light absorption rate below 5% over the range of380-750 nm. In particular, this shall have the effect that the opticalcontrast of the second indication ring in relation to the spout and thefirst indication ring is further improved. It is further preferred thatthe first indication ring is perceived as being white, the spout isperceived as being white while the second indication ring is perceivedas having a colour other than white, especially a colour perceived asred, orange, blue or violet.

Furthermore, the invention may also be further developed to the effectthat the first indication ring has a first axial height and the secondindication ring has a second axial height whereby in the non-disruptedcondition the second axial height is completely covered by the firstaxial height. Preferably the first axial height and the second axialheight are chosen to be between 1.5:1-5:1. It is further preferred thatthe first indication ring and the second indication ring are aligned attheir top edges.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it may also beprovided that the first indication ring has a first radial ring widthand the second indication ring has a second radial ring width which isdifferent from the first radial ring width. This can achieve that thetemper evidence indication means can be further tailored to specificdemands.

It can also be advantageous to further develop the invention in such away that the tamper evidence indication means are made from one or moreplastic materials by bi-injection moulding. The advantage, which can berealized by this, is that the different optical properties of the firstindication ring and the second indication ring can be realised andconfigured in one manufacturing step with moulding the tamper evidenceindication means.

It would also be possible to paint the tamper evidence indication meansto achieve different optical properties between the first indicationring and the second indication ring.

The frangible bridge/s can be integrally formed with the firstindication ring. It is preferred that the second indication ring isconnected to the frangible bridge/s. In this case, it is especiallypreferred that the first indication ring with the frangible bridge/s andthe second indication ring are formed in a bi-injection mouldingprocess, with the plastic material of the second indication ring beingdifferent form the plastic material of the first indication ring and thefrangible bridge/s. The connection between the second indication ringand the frangible bridge/s is preferably configured to be disrupted whenthe lid is once moved out of its initial close position. Hence, thebridge remains with the first indication ring after the disruption. Thiswill leave the second indication visible without the frangible bridges,which remain invisible for the consumer on the first indication ring.

It is especially preferred that the frangible bridge/s is/are ringshaped or ring-segment shaped. It is most preferred that the ring-shapeor the ring-segment-shape is flat, hence, the thickness of thering-shape or ring-segment-shape is lower than the radial length. In ahighly preferred embodiment of the invention, the frangible bridge/shas/have a radial length between 0.3-1.2 mm, more preferred between0.5-1 mm. It is further preferred that the axial thickness of thefrangible bridge/s is/are selected to be between 0.1-1.0 mm, morepreferred between 0.15-0.8 mm, highly preferred between 0.2-0.6 mm. Inyet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the temper evidenceindication means comprise a plurality of frangible bridges, whereby itis preferred that the number of frangible bridges is selected between3-12, more preferred 4-9, highly preferred 4-8, most preferred 6. It ishighly preferred that the plurality of frangible bridges are essentiallyidentical in shape. It is further preferred that the plurality offrangible bridges are equidistantly positioned between the first and thesecond indication ring. In yet another preferred execution of theinvention, six essentially identical frangible bridges are equidistantlypositions between the first and the second indication ring at an angleof 60°.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention object, itmay be provided that the second indication ring is connected to the lidwhereby the axial movement of the first indication ring is limited at adefined position within the base element in the direction of the openingof the lid, causing a disruption of the radially oriented frangiblebridge, when the lid is moved out of its closed position.

This will realise the effect that the indication whether or not theclosure device has once been opened is irreversible.

The invention may also be advantageously be further improved to theeffect that the lid comprises a spout sealing ring which projects fromthe lid bottom axially inwardly into the closure device and whichcontacts the outer surface of the spout, whereby the second indicationring is connected to the spout sealing ring.

The spout sealing ring can be monolithically made with the lid. It isfurther preferred that the spout sealing ring is made from a transparentplastic material so that the spout is visible through the spout sealingring from outside the closure device. Alternatively, the spout sealingring can be made partly or completely from an opaque plastic material,which partly or completely prevent the view on the spout from outsidethe closure device.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the innersurface of the second indication ring completely contacts the outersurface of the spout sealing ring. Alternatively, the inner surface ofthe second indication ring contacts the outer surface of the sealingring only partly. In that case the second indication can project axiallyinto the direction of the container with a cylinder segment in contactwith the spout sealing ring an with a cylinder-ring segment not incontact with the spout sealing ring. With this embodiment it is possibleto further improve the optical contrast of the second indication ring,especially when the second indication ring is transparent and the spoutand the spout sealing ring have different optical properties.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention it is intended that thefirst indication ring comprises a flange projecting radially to theoutside of the closure device at its distal end facing the container.The advantages that can be realised through this configuration is thatthe first indication ring can be positioned loss-proof in the closuredevice and that the first indication ring has a centre of gravity whichis shifted towards the distal end of the first indication ring facingthe container, which improves a controlled linear axial movement of thefirst indication ring after disruption of the frangible bridge/s.

It is further preferred to configure the invention in such a way thatthe second indication ring comprises interlocking means for fixing thesecond indication ring on the spout sealing ring. This will realise thebenefit of a snap-fit connection between the second indication ring andthe spout sealing ring, which supports an easy assembly of the closuredevice without any additional welding or gluing measures.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention it canbe provided that the lid comprises a shell surface, whereby the shellsurface is at least partly concavely shaped. With this preferredconfiguration the radial distance between the shell surface of the lidand the second indication ring is decreased leading to an improvedoptical visibility of the temper evidence indication means.

It can be also preferred that the radial distance between the innershell surface of the lid and the outer surface of the spout is between1-10 mm, preferred between 2-7 mm, especially preferred between 2-5 mm.The benefit realised by this preferred embodiment is that the visibilityof the temper evidence indications means are further improved.

It may also be preferred to modify the invention in a way so that thefirst indication ring and the second indication ring are positionedinboard of the closure device, so that the first indication ring and thesecond indication ring are not in direct contact with the environmentsurrounding the closure device. This will lead to the realisation oftemper evidence indication means which are protected from potentialattempts of manipulation from outside the closure device. This isespecially important as an intended manipulation of the temper evidenceindication means is a safety critical aspect of the closure device. Bythe term “not in direct contact with the surrounding environment”mechanical contact is meant. A slight and minor exchange of gaseoussubstances such as air, air humidity or liquid substances might bepossible. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, thefrangible bridge/s is/are radially oriented which further improves themanipulation safety of the temper evidence means from outside theclosure device.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention it is intended that thebase element comprises a flange projecting radially to the inside of theclosure device defining a duct for pass-through of the spout, wherebythe spout comprises a flange projecting radially to the outside of theclosure device, whereby the spout is positioned at least partly insideof the base element so that a ring-shaped channel is formed between thespout flange and the base element flange. The advantage that can berealised through this configuration is that the ring-shaped channelserves as defined receiving space for the first indication ring afterthe disruption of the frangible bridge/s. The defined position of thefirst indication ring after the disruption of the frangible bridge/s ispreferably located in the ring-shaped channel.

It is further preferred to configure the invention in such a way thatthe base element and the spout are configured to define an axial linearplain bearing in which the first indication ring is guided into itsdefined position after the disruption of the frangible bridge/s. Thelinear plain bearing assures a defined axial movement of the firstindication ring into its defined position after the disruption of thefrangible bridge/s.

Preferably, the inner surface of the first indication ring can be guidedby an axial section of the spout. The outer surface of the firstindication ring van be preferably guided by the axial front surface ofthe base element flange

Furthermore, according to an also advantageous embodiment of theinvention, it may be provided that the axially overlapping section afterthe lid has once been moved out of its closed position is between 5-20%of the first indication ring. This means that between 5-20% of the axialheight of the first indication ring is overlapping with the axial heightof the second indication ring. The advantageous effect of thisembodiment is based on the fact that a good temper evidence indicationand spout protection is achieved.

Furthermore, the invention may also be further developed to the effectthat the bridge/s remain/s at the first indication ring after its/theirdisruption from the second indication ring. This will further enhancethe safety against particulate intake from the outside to the drinkingspout as it establishes a labyrinth pathway which is merely impossibleto be migrated by particulates such as dust, sand or insects and henceprovides an excellent protection of the drinking spout against suchparticulates.

The spring arrangement may comprise a plurality of spring elements. Thiswill lead to a higher degree of redundancy in case one of the springelements fail to function properly.

According to a specially preferred embodiment of the closure device, thespring elements are integrally formed with the base element. This willlead to less separate parts that need to be assembled duringmanufacturing and a more hassle-free assembly of the closure device.Nevertheless, it may be alternatively possible that the springarrangement and/or the spring elements are separate parts e.g. placed inthe base element.

To realise a well-functioning spring arrangement, it may be alsoconsidered that the spring elements are supported at their first distalend by the base ring and are supported with their second distal end atthe flange of the first indication ring.

Due to the spring arrangement it would be also possible to use theclosure device as a head-stand closure device where the containeropening is facing into the direction of gravity. Such head-standclosures are especially known and convenient for paste-like andhigh-viscous products such as honey, ketchup, mayonnaise, tooth paste orthe like. Hence, the spring arrangement can be configured to move thefirst indication ring against the direction of gravity into its definedposition after disruption of the frangible bridge/s. Therefore, thetemper evidence indication means of the inventive closure device may beapplied to a conventional closure device as well as head-stand closuredevice without changing the design of the temper evidence means and/orclosure device.

It has been proven to be particularly beneficial that the springelements can be configured as spring tongues, particularly with a flatcuboid-shaped spatial form. The spring tongues can be comparatively easymanufactured while they provide good spring properties for the intendedapplication.

For ensuring a uniform distribution of the spring force to the firstindication ring, it may be preferred that the spring elements arearranged equidistantly around the inner surface of thecylinder-ring-shaped base element. This measure also supports to preventthe first indication ring to tilt when moved in its defined positionafter the disruption of the frangible bridge/s.

In order to apply a sufficient spring force to the first indication ringit may be foreseen that the spring elements have a radial length that isequal to the radial length of the flange of the base element.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention, the springarrangement is coupled with the flange of the first indication ring sothat the spring force of the spring arrangement is applied to theflange. Through the radial projection of the flange an axially orientedspring force can be applied in a way that ensures a safe functioning ofthe temper evidence indication means. It is most preferred that the freeends of the spring elements, preferably configured as spring tongues,rest spring-loaded on the flange in the non-disrupted state of thefrangible bridge/s.

The manufacturing process to produce a closure device according to thisinvention may comprise the following steps:

-   -   Moulding of the base element, the lid and the hinge with the lid        being moulded in its open position,    -   Closing of the lid,    -   Moulding of the tamper evidence indication means, whereby the        tamper evidence indication means comprising a first indication        ring and a second indication ring being coaxially positioned to        each other and which are connected by at least one radially        oriented frangible bridge, preferably in a bi-injection moulding        process,    -   Assembly of the tamper evidence indication means into the base        element and the lid,    -   Assembly of the spout into the base element.

This will process will provide an economical and safe manufacturingprocess for a closure device with temper evidence indication means.

For the manufacturing process it is especially preferred that the lidcomprises a spout sealing ring which projects from the lid bottomaxially inwardly into the closure device and which contacts the outersurface of the spout, whereby the second indication ring in itsassembled state is connected to the spout sealing ring by interlockingmeans such as a snap-in-connection. This will further increase the easyand hassle-free assembly of the temper evidence indication means intothe closure device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the manufacturing process, theassembly of the first indication ring and the second indication ring isaxially supported by an assembly shaft, which moves the first indicationring and the second indication ring axially against the closure lid tillthe interlocking means of the second indication ring and the spoutsealing ring engage. The assembly shaft assures that the frangiblebridges connecting the first indication ring and the second indicationring are not disrupted during their assembly. Nevertheless, thefrangible bridge/s provide/s may provide some compensation of rotationaland axial stress during capping once they have been assembled to theclosure device.

For the manufacturing process it is further preferred, that the firstindication ring is coupled to a spring arrangement so that the firstindication ring is spring-loaded in the direction of the container priorto the disruption of the frangible bridge/s, whereby the spring forceapplied to the first indication ring is configured to hold the firstindication ring in a defined position after the disruption of thefrangible bridge/s, whereby the spring elements are integrally formedwith the base element during moulding of the base element.Alternatively, it may also be possible, that the spring arrangement ismoulded as a separate part and assembled to the base element in aseparate manufacturing step. In this alternative embodiment the springarrangement may be configured as a plate spring or disc spring.

It is very preferred that the spring elements are spring-loaded duringthe assembly of the temper evidence indication means. Hence, the springarrangement and it pre-loading can be achieved in a very economical andintegrated manner during the manufacturing process.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail on thebasis of figures without limiting the general concept of the invention.

FIG. 1 an isometric view on a closed and an open closure device,

FIG. 2 a cross-sectional view on a closed closure device,

FIG. 3 a cross-sectional view on a closed but once opened closuredevice,

FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view on an open closure device,

FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view on the tamper evidence indication means,

FIG. 6 schematic drawings of different embodiments of the temperevidence indication means,

FIG. 7 schematic drawings of different embodiments of the temperevidence indication means,

FIG. 8 a cross-sectional view detail view on the closure device with aspring arrangement in the initially closed state and in the once openedstate,

FIG. 9 a cross-sectional view detail view on a head-stand closure devicewith a spring arrangement in the initially closed state and in the onceopened state,

FIG. 10 a cross-sectional view detail view on the closure device with aspring arrangement in the initially closed state and in the once openedstate, and

FIG. 11 a cross-sectional view on the tamper evidence indication meansduring assembly with assembly shaft.

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view on a closed and an open closure device 1.The closure device 1 in its closed position 9 is shown in the leftsection of the FIG. 1 while the closure device 1 in its open position 10can be found in the right section of FIG. 1 . The FIG. 1 shows thatclosure device 1 is fixed to a container 2 in which a flowable material3 is stored. The basically ring-shaped base element 4 of the closuredevice 1 can be fastened on a corresponding container opening 5 of thecontainer 2, e.g. by screwing and/or snap-fit means.

As visible from the representation of the closure device 1 in its openposition 10, the in general cylindrical spout 11 is positioned inboardof the base element 4 and has a dispensing opening 7 projecting axiallyout of the base element 4.

The cup-shaped lid 8 is connected to the base element 4 by a hinge 12.The lid 8 has a circular-shaped lid bottom 18 from which thecylinder-ring-shaped shell surface 30 projects axially into thedirection of the container 2. Preferably, the lid 8 is made of atransparent plastic material. The lid 8 may also be configured in a waythat the shell surface 30 is made partly or entirely of a transparentplastic material to allow the visibility of the temper evidence means 13from outside of the closure device 1.

The lid 8 can be moved back and forth between the closed position 9 inwhich the lid 8 closes the dispensing opening 7, so that the flowablematerial 3 is retained in the container 2 and its open position 10 inwhich the flowable material 3 can be released from the container 2. Thehinge 12 is formed by a material bridge between the base element 4 andthe lid 8. The hinge 12 is preferably formed monolithically with thebase element 4 and the lid 8. The lid 8 is made of a transparent plasticmaterial that is configured to allow the visibility from outside thedispensing device 1 on the temper evidence indication means 13 in theirinitially closed state.

Referring to the closure device 1 in its open position 10, it can beseen, that the closure device 1 comprises tamper evidence indicationmeans 13 for visually indicating if the lid 8 of the closure device 1has once been moved out of its closed position 9. The tamper evidenceindication means 13 consist of a first indication ring 14 and the secondindication ring 15. The function of the temper evidence means will beexplained in more detail in the following by referring to FIG. 2-5 .

Further, the base element 4 comprises a flange 26 projecting radially tothe inside of the closure device 1 defining a duct 27 for pass-throughof the spout 11, whereby the spout 11 comprises a flange 28 projectingradially to the outside of the closure device 1, whereby the spout 11 ispositioned at least partly inside of the base element 4 so that aring-shaped channel 29 is formed between the spout flange 28 and thebase element flange 26.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view on a closed closure device 1 whichhas not been opened after initial closing.

The closure device comprises the temper evidence indication means 13with the first indication ring 14 and the second indication ring 15co-axially arranged in the first indication ring 14. The firstindication ring 14 and the second indication ring 15 are connected bymultiple radially oriented frangible bridges 6 which are configured tobe disrupted when the lid 8 is moved from its closed position 9. Thedisruption of the frangible bridges 6 is causing an axial movement ofthe first indication ring 14 relative to the second indication ring 15which can be very well seen by comparing the positions of the firstindication ring 14 and the second indication ring 15 in FIG. 2 and FIG.3 . In the shown embodiment the first indication ring 14 slides in thedirection of gravity while the second indication ring 15 remains inplace at the spout sealing ring 17. While being in its undisruptedstate, the first indication ring 14 covers the view from the generallyhorizontal viewing direction of a consumer on the second indication ring15. Therefore, the first indication ring 14 has a first axial height 21and the second indication ring 15 has a second axial height 22 wherebyin the non-disrupted condition the second axial height 22 is completelycovered by the first axial height 21 and the first axial height 21 andthe second axial height 22 are chosen to be between 1.5:1-5:1, which canbe especially seen from FIG. 5 .

The first indication ring 14 has a first optical property and the secondindication ring 15 has a second optical property being different formthe first optical property.

Hence, the consumer can optically distinguish between an originallyclosed and once-open state of the closure device 1.

An optical property can be chosen from a group comprising lightabsorption properties, light reflection properties, transparency,opacity, gloss, a surface structure, especially one or more openings,one or more elevations, one or more recesses and any combination ofthese properties.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2-3 the first optical property is lightabsorption in the range of 380-750 nm and the second optical property islight absorption in the range of 380-750 nm, whereby the lightabsorption ranges of the first optical property and the second opticalproperty are different from each other. Even more preferred the lightabsorption rate of the first optical property is below 5% over the rangeof 380-750 nm and the second optical property is a light absorption rateabove 50% in the range of 380-750 nm.

The tamper evidence indication means 13 are made from one or moreplastic materials by bi-injection moulding.

The second indication ring 15 is connected to the lid 8 and the axialmovement of the first indication ring 14 within the closure device 1 islimited at a defined position 16 within the base element 4 in thedirection of the opening of the lid 8, causing a disruption of theradially oriented frangible bridge 6, when the lid 8 is moved out of itsclosed position 9. The first indication ring 14 comprises a flange 20projecting radially to the outside of the closure device 1 at its distalend facing the container 2.

The flange 20 contacts the base element flange 26 defining the definedposition 16 in the initially closed position 9 of the closure device 1.

The lid 8 further comprises a spout sealing ring 17 which projects fromthe lid bottom 18 axially inwardly into the closure device 1 and whichcontacts the outer surface of the spout 11. The second indication ring15 is connected to the spout sealing ring 17 by interlocking means 19for fixing the second indication ring 15 on the spout sealing ring 17.

The lid 8 has a shell surface 30 which is concavely shaped to the insideof the closure device 1.

What is also visible from FIG. 1 is that the first indication ring 14and the second indication ring 15 are positioned inboard of the closuredevice 1, so that the first indication ring 14 and the second indicationring 15 are not in direct contact with the environment surrounding theclosure device 1.

What becomes obvious by comparing the FIGS. 2 and 3 is that the firstindication ring 14 and the second indication ring 15 are coaxiallypositioned to each other and the first indication ring 14 and the secondindication ring 15 having an axially overlapping section 41 before andafter the lid 8 of the closure device 1 has once been moved out of itsclosed position 9. The first indication ring 14 and the secondindication ring 15 are coaxially positioned to each other and the firstindication ring 14 and the second indication ring 15 having an axiallyoverlapping section 41 before and after the lid 8 of the closure device1 has once been moved out of its closed position 9 when the lid 8 is inits closed position.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view on an open closure device 1. Thehinge 12 connects the lid 8 with the base element 4 so that the lid 8can be pivoted back and forth to cover or uncover the spout 12. In theshown embodiment, the hinge 12 is a flexible material bridgemonolithically formed with the base element 4 and the lid 8.

What is also shown in the FIG. 5 is that the first indication ring 14has a first radial ring width 23 and the second indication ring 15 has asecond radial ring width 24 which is different from the first radialring width 23.

The frangible bridge/s 6 is/are ring shaped or ring-segment shaped. Thering-shape or the ring-segment-shape is flat, hence, the axial thicknessof the ring-shape or ring-segment-shape is lower than the radial lengthwhich can be very well seen from the detail view shown in the lowersection of FIG. 5 . Although not visible from FIG. 5 , the temperevidence indication means 13 in the shown embodiment comprise aplurality of frangible bridges 6, whereby the number of frangiblebridges 6 is six. The plurality of frangible bridges 6 are essentiallyidentical in ring-segment shape and they are equidistantly positionedbetween the first indication ring 14 and the second indication ring 15at an angle of 60°.

The FIGS. 6-7 show alternative combinations of optical properties. Inthe embodiment shown in the upper section of FIG. 6 , the firstindication ring 14 is made of an opaque material which has a colourperceived as white, whereas the second indication ring 15 is made of anopaque material which has a colour perceived as being white. The secondindication ring 15 comprises openings 31 in the shape of letters, whichbecome visible, when the first indication ring 14 is moved axially belowthe second indication ring 15. The spout 11 preferably has a colourperceived as being different from white, for example red, orange, blueor violet, so that the openings are contrasted against the white secondindication ring 15.

In the lower section of FIG. 6 , an embodiment is shown in which thefirst indication ring 14 is made of an opaque material which has acolour perceived as white, whereas the second indication ring 15 is madeof an opaque material which has a colour perceived as being white. Thesecond indication ring 15 comprises elevations 32 and/or recesses 32e.g. in the shape of letters, which become visible, when the firstindication ring 14 is moved axially below the second indication ring 15.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment in which the first indication ring 14 ismade of an opaque material which has a colour perceived as white withelevations 32 and/or recesses 32 in its surface, for example in theshape of letters, which become invisible, when the first indication ring14 is moved axially below the second indication ring 15. The secondindication ring 15 is made of an opaque material which has a colourperceived as being white. The spout 11 preferably may have a colourperceived as being different from white.

The spring arrangement of the closure device 1 will now be described inmore detail by turning to FIG. 8-10 . FIG. 8-10 show cross-sectionaldetail views of the temper evidence indication means 13.

What can be seen well in the FIGS. 8-10 is that the first indicationring 14 is coupled to a spring arrangement 33 so that the firstindication ring 14 is spring-loaded in the direction of the container 2prior to the disruption of the frangible bridge/s 6. The spring forceapplied to the first indication ring 14 is configured to hold the firstindication ring 14 in a defined position 37 after the disruption of thefrangible bridge/s 6 which is shown in FIG. 10 .

The base element 4 and the spout 11 are configured to define an axiallinear plain bearing 40—as shown in FIG. 10 —in which the firstindication ring 14 is guided into its defined position 37 after thedisruption of the frangible bridge/s 6. The inner surface of the firstindication ring 14 is guided by an axial section 43 of the spout 11. Theouter surface of the first indication ring 14 is guided by the axialfront surface of the base element flange 26. A tilting of the firstindication ring 14 while moving its defined position 37 after thedisruption of the frangible bridge/s 6 is thereby prevented and thefunctional safety of the temper evidence indication means 13 isincreased.

The spring arrangement 33 comprises a plurality of spring elements 34,which are integrally formed with the base element 4. The spring elements34 are supported at their first distal end 35 by the base ring 4 and aresupported with their second distal end 36 at the flange 20 of the firstindication ring 14. In the shown embodiment, the spring elements 34 areconfigured as spring tongues with a flat cuboid-shaped spatial form. Thespring elements 34 are arranged equidistantly around the inner surfaceof the cylinder-ring-shaped base element 4.

The spring arrangement 33 is coupled with the flange 20 so that thespring force of the spring arrangement 33 is applied to the flange 20.The free ends of the spring elements 34 configured as spring tonguesrest spring-loaded on the flange 20 in the non-disrupted state of thefrangible bridge/s 6, which is shown in the upper representation of FIG.8 .

In the lower configuration, the state of the temper evidence indicationmeans 13 is shown after the disruption of the frangible bridge/s 6.Here, the first indication ring 14 is hold in its defined position 37 bythe spring elements 34, which still rests against the flange 20 ensuringthat the first indication ring 14 is hold in the shown position 37. Thespring force of the spring elements 34 also supports the movement of thefirst indication ring 14 into its defined position 37 after thedisruption of the frangible bridge/s 6.

The embodiment in FIG. 8 shows a conventional closure device 1, wherethe dispensing opening 7 of the closure device 1 is above the container2 in its intended transport and/or storage position.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment where the closure device 1 is arranged belowthe container 2 in its intended transport and/or storage position, whichis also known as head-stand closure device. The closure devices 1 fromFIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are identically configured. The spring arrangement 33of the head-stand closure device 1 of FIG. 9 is constructed to move thefirst indication ring 14 against the direction of gravity into itsdefined position 37 after disruption of the frangible bridge/s 6.

FIG. 10 especially shows that the spring elements 34 have a radiallength 38 that is equal to the radial length 39 of the flange 26 of thebase element 4.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view on the temper evidence indicationmeans 13 during assembly with assembly shaft 42. The assembly shaft isbasically cylindrically-shaped with a shoulder 44. Extending axiallyfrom the shoulder 44 is a shaft section that has a diameter smaller thanthe diameter of the shoulder section of the assembly shaft 42 so thatthis smaller diameter section can be moved into the first indicationring 14. This section smaller in diameter has an axial height thatcorresponds to the difference of the first axial height 21 and thesecond axial height 22. The temper evidence indication means 13 areplaced on the cylinder-shaped assembly shaft 42, which has the shoulder44 on which the flange 20 of the first indication ring 14 rests. Thesecond indication ring 15 rests against the front surface 45 of theassembly shaft 42. Hence, during assembly of the temper evidenceindication means 13, no axial stress is exposed to the frangiblebridge/s 6 and the position of the temper evidence indication means 13is well defined during assembly.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures.The above description is therefore not to be regarded as restrictive,but as explanatory. The following patent claims are to be understood insuch a way that a named feature is present in at least one form ofimplementation of the invention. This does not exclude the presence offurther features. If the patent claims and the above description define‘first’ and ‘second’ features, this indication serves to distinguish twofeatures of the same kind without establishing an order of priority.

REFERENCES

-   1 closure device-   2 container-   3 flowable material-   4 base element-   5 container opening-   6 frangible bridge-   7 dispensing opening-   8 lid-   9 closed position-   10 open position-   11 spout-   12 hinge-   13 tamper evidence indication means-   14 first indication ring-   15 second indication ring-   16 position-   17 spout sealing ring-   18 lid bottom-   19 interlocking means-   20 flange-   21 first axial height-   22 second axial height-   23 first radial ring width-   24 second radial ring width-   26 base element flange-   30 shell surface-   31 opening-   32 elevations/recesses-   33 spring arrangement-   34 spring elements-   35 first distal end-   36 second distal end-   37 position-   38 radial length-   39 radial length-   40 plain bearing-   41 axial overlapping section-   42 assembly shaft-   43 axial spout section-   44 shoulder-   45 front surface

1. Closure device (1) for a container (2) in which a flowable material(3) is stored, comprising a base element (4), which can be fastened on acontainer opening (5) of the container (2) a spout (11) with adispensing opening (7) whereby the spout (11) is positioned inboard ofthe base element (4), and a lid (8) connected to the base element (4) bya hinge (12), whereby the lid (8) can be moved back and forth between aclosed position (9) in which the lid (8) closes the dispensing opening(7) so that the spout (11) is not accessible and an open position (10)in which the spout (11) is accessible, tamper evidence indication means(13) for visually indicating if the lid (8) of the closure device (1)has once been moved out of its closed position (9), characterised inthat the tamper evidence indication means (13) comprise a firstindication ring (14) and at least a second indication ring (15), wherebythe first indication ring (14) and the second indication ring (15) areconnected by at least one frangible bridge (6) which is configured to bedisrupted when the lid (8) is moved from its closed position (9),causing an axial movement of the first indication ring (14) relative tothe second indication ring (15), whereby the first indication ring (14)and the second indication ring (15) are coaxially positioned to eachother and the first indication ring (14) and the second indication ring(15) having an axially overlapping section (41) before and after the lid(8) of the closure device (1) has once been moved out of its closedposition (9).
 2. Closure device (1) according to claim 1, characterisedin that the frangible bridge's (6) is/are radially oriented.
 3. Closuredevice (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the radiallyoriented frangible bridge (6) has a radial length (25) between 0.3-1.2mm, more preferred between 0.5-1 mm.
 4. Closure device (1) according toclaim 1, characterised in that the axially overlapping section (41)after the lid (8) has once been moved out of its closed position (9) isbetween 5-20% of the first indication ring.
 5. Closure device (1)according to claim 1, characterised in that the first indication ring(14) has a first axial height (21) and the second indication ring (15)has a second axial height (22) whereby in the non-disrupted condition,the second axial height (22) is completely covered by the first axialheight (21).
 6. Closure device (1) according to claim 1, characterisedin that the closure device (1) is constructed so that the bridge's (6)remain at the first indication ring (14) after their disruption from thesecond indication ring (15).
 7. Closure device (1) according to claim 1,characterised in that the first indication ring (14) and the secondindication ring (15) are positioned inboard of the closure device (1),so that the first indication ring (14) and the second indication ring(15) are not in direct contact with the environment surrounding theclosure.
 8. Closure device (1) according to claim 1, characterised inthat the tamper evidence indication means (13) are made from one or moreplastic materials by bi-injection moulding.
 9. Closure device (1)according to claim 1, characterised in that the lid (8) comprises aspout sealing ring (17) which projects in the closed position of the lid(8) from the lid bottom (18) axially inwardly into the closure device(1) and which contacts the outer surface of the spout (11), whereby thesecond indication ring (15) is connected to the spout sealing ring (17).10. Closure device (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that thesecond indication ring (15) comprises interlocking means (19) for fixingthe second indication ring (15) on the spout sealing ring (17). 11.Closure device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the baseelement (4) comprises a flange (26) projecting radially to the inside ofthe closure device (1) defining a duct (27) for pass-through of thespout (11), whereby the spout (11) comprises a flange (28) projectingradially to the outside of the closure device (1), whereby the spout(11) is positioned at least partly inside of the base element (4) sothat a ring-shaped channel (29) is formed between the spout flange (28)and the base element flange (26).
 12. Closure device (1) according toclaim 1, characterised in that the base element (4) and the spout (11)are configured to define an axial linear plain bearing (40) in which thefirst indication ring (14) is guided into its defined position (37)after the disruption of the frangible bridge's (6).